Boxwood borer in Fulda: Citizens fight against green plague!

Boxwood borer in Fulda: Citizens fight against green plague!

In Fulda, an insidious pest is causing uneasy moments for hobby gardeners and plant lovers: the box tree moth (Cydalima perspectalis). Loud Fulda newspaper The feedback from citizens this year is alarming. Many box trees appear bare and unsightly; the characteristic webs indicate a massive infestation. The city of Fulda has already received numerous inquiries about this topic, which does not surprise press spokesman Johannes Heller: “The infestation is particularly severe this year.”

The box tree moth has its origins in East Asia and has been on the rise since it was first discovered in Germany in 2006. Temperatures that are becoming milder due to climate change are promoting its spread, as the caterpillars of the borer eat the leaves of the box trees and can make them bare except for the branches, as the Garden Academy describes Garden Academy. The little eating monsters are not only difficult to spot, they are also extremely voracious and leave nothing but damage behind.

Quick measures are required

The Schmitt and Sohn nursery in Künzell offers practical solutions to combat it. Hobby gardeners can use biological products such as Xentari Caterpillar Free or neem oil to counteract the infestation. You will also find advice in the fact that pruning the affected boxwood trees is strongly recommended, followed by immediate use of the remedies mentioned. The only exception is the pruning of free-growing boxwoods in parks, which are excluded from control.

The symptoms of an infestation are often easy to identify: They range from signs of feeding on the leaves to bare spots to stunted or dried-out parts of the plant. Webs on the branches are also a sure indication of how Utopia reported. A proactive approach is essential. Regular checks and collecting the caterpillars can help detect the infestation early and save the plants.

Disposal options for contaminated material

But what to do with the infected clippings? The city administration and the nursery recommend environmentally friendly disposal in the organic waste bin or in the biogas plant at Finkenberg. This is open on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the recycling centers in neighboring communities also offer corresponding collection points - but only if the soil has been removed at the roots in order to avoid the uncontrolled spread of the pests.

Finally, it is advisable to avoid boxwood before planting new ones, which the city of Fulda also recommends. Instead, alternatives such as Taxus (yew) or Euonymus (spindle bush) should be considered. With these preventative steps, gardeners hope to keep the boxwood borer at bay in the long term and preserve the green splendor for future generations.